Cabot Trail, Cape Breton
October 11-17, 2026
For our 5 day tour, please click here.
Join Travac for a fantastic fall getaway to Cape Breton for the Celtic Colours International Festival! Set against a backdrop of brilliant autumn colours, this festival welcomes musicians from Celtic regions around the world including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany, as well as artists from Cape Breton’s vibrant communities.
A unique celebration of Cape Breton living traditional culture, you’ll have the opportunity to take in a variety of world-class concerts and community cultural events across Cape Breton Island while also visiting Halifax and the South Shore.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Ottawa to Halifax
This morning, depart from Ottawa on a direct flight to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Baddeck, the start and end point of the famous Cabot Trail—a favorite destination for travelers. Scheduled washroom and lunch stops will be made en route. Expected arrival is early evening. A welcome dinner is included tonight. (D)
Hotel stay for the next 4 nights – Inverary Resort or similar
Day 2
Baddeck
Begin the day with a relaxing breakfast before enjoying a day at leisure. Your Travac Tours Director will offer suggestions for the day. Return to the hotel for dinner. Later, enjoy a Celtic Colours International Festival performance. (B, D)
Optional – Fortress of Louisbourg ($): A visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest reconstructed 18th century fortified town in North America.
Day 3
Cabot Trail
After an early breakfast, depart for a full-day tour of the Cabot Trail, accompanied by a local guide. Widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world, the route winds through the Cape Breton Highlands, offering views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, forested landscapes, and coastal cliffs. Several stops will be made at scenic lookouts and in small fishing communities. Lunch is included during the tour. This evening, dine at the hotel. Tonight, attend another Celtic Colours International Festival performance. (B, L, D)
Day 4
Baddeck
Start the day with a leisurely morning before departing for a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Explore full-scale replicas, exhibits, and artifacts that showcase Bell’s groundbreaking inventions and wide-ranging interests. A shuttle bus is available, allowing you to explore at your own pace. On your last evening in Baddeck, dinner will be served at the hotel. To conclude the day, attend your final Celtic Colours International Festival performance. (B, D)
Day 5
Baddeck to Halifax
After breakfast, we will check out and transfer to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Along the way there will be rest stops enroute with lunch ($) on your own prior to arriving into downtown Halifax. We will check in to our hotel in the late afternoon. Evening is free to explore the Harbour front shops and restaurants. (B)
Hotel stay for the next 2 nights: Westin Nova Scotian or similar
Day 6
Halifax and the South Shore
Following breakfast, depart your hotel for a full-day tour of Halifax and Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Begin with Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the resting place of many Titanic passengers. Travel along the scenic route to Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colorful streets and the home of the Bluenose II, where you’ll also have time for lunch ($) on your own. Continue to the charming town of Mahone Bay, famous for its waterfront and iconic churches, before arriving at Peggy’s Cove to see its legendary lighthouse. Return to Halifax in the evening, where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. (B)
Day 7
Return to Ottawa
Enjoy your breakfast before checking out and transferring to Halifax Airport for your early afternoon flight back to Ottawa. Arrival is expected later that afternoon. (B)
Performance details for the Celtic Colours International Festival, including artist lineup, time, and venue, are subject to change.
Itinerary and flight schedules are subject to change.
back to top
